Reply to Center Level IV school versus local level IV

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I realize that center schools nor local level IV programs throughout FCPS are created equal.

But.....

If you have a student who'll be entering into Fairfax County in 3rd grade and going directly into a full-time Level IV AAP program, in general, would you lean toward going to the base school or the center school?

I'd love to hear the pros and cons of each option. Of the parents I've spoken with in my neighborhood, most chose to keep their kids at the base school because the kids didn't want to leave their friends. I'm looking for other evidence as to why one option might be more beneficial than the other, not "keep them with their friends."

My DD will be coming into FCPS from a private school, so I'm weighing the whole "I have some friends at this place already" a little bit less in this decision (FWIW, she has two neighborhood friends who go to our base school, as they play soccer together).[/quote]

Super helpful, thanks! I appreciate this perspective.

One question: you said that being at the base school might allow DD to explore more. I would’ve thought the opposite. Do you mind sharing why that might be the case? Curious to understand more.

As for asking DD if she wants to go to the center school....I haven’t asked her point blank but I know I will get “but I know two people at the base.” Again, she does not go to school with any of these kids right now....they’re friends from sports. So it’s not like they will stop being friends. I am considering maybe not telling DD she has a choice because frankly I am not sure a kid with zero public school experience truly understands the full picture of why her parent might want her to attend one school versus the other. Yes, she’s a bright kid, but she’s still only 8.

I would figure out the following: Does your kid want to go to the center school? My DC was adamant about not going, we didn't explain DC was gifted, just that it would be more interesting in science and math. After many attempts, still no change.  So we're staying at our base school. The bell schedule knocked out a lot of after school curriculars for us so we stayed in part because enrichment goes farther here. DC didn't retain any friends going to the center school (everyone in our base school stayed.) So it was a situation where it was like: we might as well let DC stay and then transfer to the middle school as needed.

Oak View and Lee are 6/7 in great schools, so it's really tough to figure out which school in terms of "rigor." I will say that they will probably be the same, with room for your kid to explore a little more in your base school. (It's not like you're leaping into Mantua or Sangster here) Someone mentioned more extra curriculars in Oak View: THIS MATTERS. If Oak View has more that you are willing to try, do that. The enrichment is worth it. If you had paid for private school so far, this is a small burden, but it leads to less screen time at home and more growth overall.

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